4 THE CULTIVATION OF HEMP IN THE UNITED STATES. 



Most of the hemp cultivated in this eountiy. amounting to from 

 15,000 to 20,000 acres annually, is grown in tlu^ bluegrass region of 

 Kentucky, of \vhich Lexington is the center. About 600 acres are 

 grown each year near Lincoln, Nebr., and an area of about the same 

 size in the lower Sacramento Valley in California. During the past 

 two years hemp has been grown successfully at Kouts and North 

 Liberty, Ind., and at Hanover, Pa. It has also been grown experi- 

 mentally in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Arkansas. 



CLIMATE. 



Hemp requires about 110 chiys for its growth. It should have a 

 rainfall of at least 10 inches during this period. It has not been grown 

 commercially under irrigation. If the level of free water in the soil is 

 within 5 to 10 feet from the surface, as is often the case in alluvial 

 river-bottom lands, and the character of the soil is such that there is 

 good capillarv action to bring the water up, hemp will not suffer 

 from drought, even should there be very little rainfall. Hemp is 

 uninjured by light frosts. It ma}'' therefore be sown earlier than oats 

 and harvested later than corn. 



SOIL. 



Hemp requires for its best development a rich, alluvial, or loany 

 soil not subject to severe drought, yet not of a sw^amp3^ condition. 

 It is not to be recommended for a light sandy soil, unless it follows a 

 crop of clover or beans which has left a plentiful supply of nitrogenous 

 fertilizer. The soil should also be well supplied with lime. Hemp 

 will not grow well in an acid soil or on gumbo soils. Excellent crops 

 have been obtained in Indiana during the past two seasons on peaty 

 soils over marl. 



The best fertilizer for the hemp crop is barnyard manure, and this 

 should be applied to the previous crop or, at the latest, in the fall 

 before sowing the hemp. Hemp may be introduced in any crop 

 rotation, but it is best to have it follow peas, beans, or clover. It 

 may follow corn or grain, providing these crops are well fertilized. 

 A dense growth of hemp destroys nearly all weeds, and as it is a 

 rather deep rooting plant and shades the soil it leaves the land in 

 excellent condition for any crop which may follow. 



SOWING. 



Hemp seed should be sown at the rate of approximately 1 bushel 

 per acre at about the time of sowing oats or as early as possible after 

 the period of severe frosts. If possible the land should be plowed 

 during the previous fall. Fall plowing is essential for success if a 

 heavy sod or much vegetation is to l)e turned under. The soil should 

 be harrowed at least once before seeding in order to settle the furrows. 



[Cir. 57] 



